The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-01-19
RODNEY BOYD'S MISTAKE

Yes, I'm dying, nephew; | can live
but few hours al the Eirthest'
oh, uncle" g.sped Rodney Boyd,
in a choking voice, raising his handker-
chief To his ace, but more to hide the
flash Of JOY in the keen gray eyes than
the tears, which no amount of effort
could bring to them
Ever since have been lying here"
said the old man. feehly, "ani know
that / must die, have though much Of
your father. We were boys tOgether,And
though we didn't agree very we'll when
ne grew up, that ought not to make me
unjust to his son"
Here the speaker was interrupted by
violent lit # coughing.
did intend 10 leAye all my property
to Mary he resumed. Mary is a good
girl, and has been ike daughter to me /;
but I've been thinking that ought not
to leave it away from my own kin, Not
but thai I've made some provision for
her. of course. You understand, nephew
that she i to have home here until she
marries."
Set your mind at rest. my dear uncle
she shall be treated by me. in every re-
spect, as if She was my own cousin"
Thank you nephew; I'm glad you feel
80. Mary has been a. kind 10 me a. any
daughter could Be, and | want her made
comfortable"
You'll find The viii IN the middle
drawer Of the desk yonder. You'll see
that I've given the larger part to you. |
did think Of giving you May's portion
and leaving the rest TO her, bns changed
nay mind
Here the old man was seized with an
other fit ofcaughing, 81 severe that Mary,
hearing him, came in nom below, With
er she had gone TO prepare some refresh
ment for the invalid
Mary Was fair, pleasant-looking girl
Of about eighteen, with soft, biae eyes
and lustrous brown hair, drawr smooth
IL away from the white forehead.
The red lips looked as if they might
dimple into smiles uAdeF circams,anoes
more favorable 10 calling them forth, but
Row the face wore weary anxious look,
~ she bent over his form, who had been
the only friend and protector of her or
phaned childhood, but who was soon 70
leave her
The Invalid might have noticed this,
for as soon as he WAS easier he said:
@ You had better 90 and lay down,
Mary, my lear, You TggSt be complete
iy porn suI Rodney, here, will say
with me the nsst of the night, and, if |
am worse, will ell YOU
u paiFeal Thar you will do 50, Miss
Mary, urged the man alluded to, in his
oilicst and smoothest manner. shall
consider it a privilege to watch by my
Uncle while you obtain the rest that you
50 evidently need
DuubIigf a. to whether she would be
able 20 endure the fatigue Of watching
another night. Mary complied. though
she did 20 reluctantly, for she had an IN
siinctiye dis,rJist Of Rodney Boyd Nhith
she was gaabie 80 leasou away 9r ex-
plata
Rodney Boyd sat in an easy chair be-
fore the cracking wood fire-for nothing
would suit old Simon Boyd but the ogon
Fireplace. rrcuad !: :hieh he used to gather
in lbs happy boyhood.
Ills chdrge bad been quiet for the last,
few hours, apparently in hight slumher.
RodpeY's ;spagh,s eefe busy. lie
thought over What he would do with the
money for which he had been 50 long
waiting apd seheming.
Tie glanced oantemptuously around on
the old-Gshioned furniture, every article
Of which was 50 dear to his niece's heart.
~It'l never do for me-" be muttered.
IN sell il off-.,nd the old house, too.
That will he q goaA WY 10 geg I'D Of The
riri, ahd III d5itt"
Then his thoughts reverted 10 the will,
with dissatisfied, uneasy feeling
Why did he make one? He was the
heir-ai-law, ard. otherwise, would have
inherited all
he was aroused from these reflections
by groan from his uncle, followed by a
sharp rattle.
Tn reaching the hedside he was Start
led hy the change IN his eountenance.
He turhed to the door 10 summon as
sistance, and then suddenly changing his
mind, returned 10 the bed, and standing
at the faa, Of il watched quietly the fee
bic, huttering breath until ii ceased alto.
geiher.
Taking the light he held it to the dull
glazed eyes and then laiu his hand on
the wrist.
Being satisfied that life Was extinct. hs
went TO the desk that his uncle had
spoken of. and taking out the will, read
Z il carefully from beginning TO end